Hollywood and Straightwashing Gay Roles

In recent years film critics have introduced the term “straightwashing” to highlight the marginalisation of the LGBTQ+ community in Hollywood, television, literature and in history.

 

•  Written by Lydia Smith and Hilary Mitchell 

 What is straightwashing?

Straightwashing is the assimilation of someone who is gay, lesbian, bisexual asexual or other to fit heterosexual cultural 

norms. Put simply, it’s the practice of portraying non-straight people or characters as straight. The practice of straightwashing marginalizes the LGBTQ+ community by erasing queer people – who are already underrepresented.

But more than that, straightwashing also perpetuates the idea that films or shows need to be made “straight” to appeal to a wider audience, which is rooted in homophobia.

1990s-era makeover show Queer Eye was rebooted on Netflix, and there’s a ninth season on the way in 2024, with interior designer Jeremiah Brent is joining the cast alongside original hosts Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, and Tan France. 

In 2019, Billy Porter made history by becoming the first Black, gay actor to win an Emmy Award in a leading acting category, for his role in Ryan Murphy’s queer drama Pose. His Pose co-star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez became the first trans woman nominated in a major category two years later.

And in 2024, Baby Reindeer star Nava Mau became the first trans woman to be nominated in the limited or anthology series or movie Emmy category. 

However, despite these strides forward, it is no secret that the on-screen representation of LGBTQ+ issues and people is still lacking.

One of Netflix’s first original series, the prison drama Orange Is The New Black paved the way for better visibility for transgender women of color and ethnic minorities while challenging heteronormativity on mainstream TV.

Originally Printed on Pink News